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Michael F. Easley
Governor
State of North Carolina
Office of the Governor
Governor's Press Office
State Capitol, Raleigh, NC 27603-8001
(919) 733-5612 - Toll Free 1-800-662-7005
FAX (919) 733-5166
For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Sherri Johnson
Date: September 1, 2005 Phone: 919/733-5612
GOV. EASLEY ISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDER TO WAIVE SIZE AND WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS FOR VEHICLES TRANSPORTING RELIEF FOR KATRINA VICTIMS
RALEIGH – Gov. Mike Easley today issued an executive order to temporarily waive size and weight restrictions for vehicles traveling on interstates through North Carolina transporting relief to Hurricane Katrina victims.
“This vehicle waiver will help speed the delivery of critical relief supplies and equipment to our neighbors in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi,” Easley said. “The victims of Hurricane Katrina have suffered terrible loss and destruction, and we must do all we can to help them in their time of need.”
Executive Order 81 will be in effect for 60 days or for the duration of the emergency, whichever is less. Relief vehicles will also be exempt from various registrations and fees and that are typically required during routine transport.
The waiver does not apply to the following: 1) when the vehicle weight exceeds the maximum gross weight criteria established by the manufacturer or 90,000 pounds gross weight, whichever is less; 2) when the tandem axle weight exceeds 42,000 pounds and the single axle weight exceeds 22,000 pounds; and 3) when a vehicle/vehicle combination exceeds 12 feet in width and a total overall vehicle combination length 75 feet from bumper to bumper.
In other related action, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has granted a nationwide waiver for requirements on gasoline and diesel volatility through Sept. 15, thus allowing standard fuel to be used. The low volatility fuel, commonly called “summer fuel,” is used to help reduce motor vehicle emissions during the warmer months when ozone pollution forms more readily. The EPA was requiring its usage in effected areas across the country through Sept. 15. In North Carolina, the counties that had been required to use the summer fuel included Davidson, Durham, Forsyth, Gaston, Guilford, Mecklenburg, Wake, the Dutchville Township of Granville and portions of Davie.
“EPA’s action will help ease supply disruptions for our fuel distributors, their customers and our citizens,” Easley said. “We are one of a number of states that requested the emergency waiver to help deal with this unprecedented situation.”
The waiver allows gasoline with 9.0 Reid Vapor Pressure to be sold along with diesel fuel having a sulfur content exceeding 500 parts per million with visible evidence of red dye.
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Michael F. Easley
Governor
State of North Carolina
Office of the Governor
Governor's Press Office
State Capitol, Raleigh, NC 27603-8001
(919) 733-5612 - Toll Free 1-800-662-7005
FAX (919) 733-5166
For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Sherri Johnson
Date: September 1, 2005 Phone: 919/733-5612
GOV. EASLEY ISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDER TO WAIVE SIZE AND WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS FOR VEHICLES TRANSPORTING RELIEF FOR KATRINA VICTIMS
RALEIGH – Gov. Mike Easley today issued an executive order to temporarily waive size and weight restrictions for vehicles traveling on interstates through North Carolina transporting relief to Hurricane Katrina victims.
“This vehicle waiver will help speed the delivery of critical relief supplies and equipment to our neighbors in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi,” Easley said. “The victims of Hurricane Katrina have suffered terrible loss and destruction, and we must do all we can to help them in their time of need.”
Executive Order 81 will be in effect for 60 days or for the duration of the emergency, whichever is less. Relief vehicles will also be exempt from various registrations and fees and that are typically required during routine transport.
The waiver does not apply to the following: 1) when the vehicle weight exceeds the maximum gross weight criteria established by the manufacturer or 90,000 pounds gross weight, whichever is less; 2) when the tandem axle weight exceeds 42,000 pounds and the single axle weight exceeds 22,000 pounds; and 3) when a vehicle/vehicle combination exceeds 12 feet in width and a total overall vehicle combination length 75 feet from bumper to bumper.
In other related action, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has granted a nationwide waiver for requirements on gasoline and diesel volatility through Sept. 15, thus allowing standard fuel to be used. The low volatility fuel, commonly called “summer fuel,” is used to help reduce motor vehicle emissions during the warmer months when ozone pollution forms more readily. The EPA was requiring its usage in effected areas across the country through Sept. 15. In North Carolina, the counties that had been required to use the summer fuel included Davidson, Durham, Forsyth, Gaston, Guilford, Mecklenburg, Wake, the Dutchville Township of Granville and portions of Davie.
“EPA’s action will help ease supply disruptions for our fuel distributors, their customers and our citizens,” Easley said. “We are one of a number of states that requested the emergency waiver to help deal with this unprecedented situation.”
The waiver allows gasoline with 9.0 Reid Vapor Pressure to be sold along with diesel fuel having a sulfur content exceeding 500 parts per million with visible evidence of red dye.
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